NEIGHBORHOOD LINKS | October 2012

Thursday, October 04, 2012 4:46 AM

Leschi

The Leschi Community Council will host a charter-school debate at its next meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Ave. S., in the Solarium. Pro and con speakers will help us understand the implications of Initiative 1240. A question-and-answer period will follow each argument.

On Oct. 14, the Seattle Repertory Theatre will host a benefit for the Central Area Senior Center, the only senior center south of the ship canal on the east side of the city. All tickets for the 2 p.m. matinee performance of “Pullman Porter Blues” will directly benefit the senior center. Call (206) 726-4926 for ticket information.

Also, bingo comes to the senior center every Wednesday, from 1 to 3 p.m. beginning Oct. 17. Play for cash and prizes!

The monthly Jazz event at the senior center on Oct. 19 features surround sound, with The Green Dolphin Street Lounge performing at 6 p.m. Admission, with buffet appetizers, is $15.

— Diane Snell

Leschi News editor

Madison Park

This has been a very busy month for the Madison Park Community Council (MPCC). New activities are in the works. Here is what we have been doing:

•Launching a Disaster-Relief Project planning committee;

•Developing a Madison Park Greenway project to build a safer route for children bicycling and walking from East Madison Street to McGilvra Elementary School;

•Seeing the city begin its sidewalk improvement project along the north side of East Madison Street between 41st and 42nd avenues East, as a result of a grant application by MPCC;

•Providing a forum for the neighborhood to learn current construction plans for the west end of the state Route 520 project and monitoring new developments;

•Beginning a new project to develop and launch social-media sites on Facebook and Twitter, as well as a new website for the MPCC;

•Gathering information to present to the Seattle Parks and Recreation suggesting changes at North Beach;

•Evaluating two new programs: one, studying how to make the neighborhoods of Madison Park, Washington Park, Canterbury and Denny-Blaine safer places to walk and bike by encouraging homeowners to repair aging sidewalks and cut back greenery that blocks sidewalks or interferes with safe passage; second, to take a fresh look with the Madison Park Business Association at developing a plan to improve the street end of East Madison at the lake, while maintaining the current level of parking; and

•Studying a proposal that has been made by the mayor to consider a possible “high-speed public bus” from downtown to Madison Park.

All of these activities will be supported by our current board members and the following new board members:

•Hilary Carey, executive director of Camp Korey at Carnation Farms and a resident of Denny-Blaine;

•Carole Loe, retired dentist and longtime Broadmoor resident;

•Bob Steedman, Realtor, former president of the McGilvra Elementary School PTA board and Madison Park resident;

With representation from four of the five neighborhoods that the MPCC serves, we are seeking one or more Washington Park residents to complete our MPCC board. If you live in Washington Park and are interested, e-mail MPCCPres.Gene@gmail.com or call MPCC president Gene Brandzel, at (206) 940-4489.

The next monthly MPCC meeting will take place on Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Madison Park Bathhouse, 1900 43rd Ave. E.. We hope you can attend. There will be posters and social media to announce the program.